US11985484B2 - Implement to be worn on outer ear - Google Patents

Implement to be worn on outer ear Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US11985484B2
US11985484B2 US17/770,819 US202017770819A US11985484B2 US 11985484 B2 US11985484 B2 US 11985484B2 US 202017770819 A US202017770819 A US 202017770819A US 11985484 B2 US11985484 B2 US 11985484B2
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
inserting part
zonally
external auditory
auditory canal
setting part
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
US17/770,819
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
US20220377477A1 (en
Inventor
Hayato TSUGE
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Listeningassist Corp
Original Assignee
Listeningassist Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Listeningassist Corp filed Critical Listeningassist Corp
Assigned to LISTENINGASSIST CORPORATION reassignment LISTENINGASSIST CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: TSUGE, Hayato
Publication of US20220377477A1 publication Critical patent/US20220377477A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US11985484B2 publication Critical patent/US11985484B2/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/10—Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones
    • H04R1/1016—Earpieces of the intra-aural type
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H04R25/652—Ear tips; Ear moulds
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/02—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception adapted to be supported entirely by ear
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H04R25/652—Ear tips; Ear moulds
    • H04R25/656—Non-customized, universal ear tips, i.e. ear tips which are not specifically adapted to the size or shape of the ear or ear canal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/025—In the ear hearing aids [ITE] hearing aids
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2460/00—Details of hearing devices, i.e. of ear- or headphones covered by H04R1/10 or H04R5/033 but not provided for in any of their subgroups, or of hearing aids covered by H04R25/00 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2460/11—Aspects relating to vents, e.g. shape, orientation, acoustic properties in ear tips of hearing devices to prevent occlusion

Definitions

  • the following relates to a device attachable to an outer ear for audio equipment.
  • a device attachable to an outer ear used for audio equipment (hearing equipment) such as a hearing aid, a sound reproducing device, an audio communication device, and an environmental countermeasure device (that is, a noise canceller) and is inserted into an external auditory canal of a user. Since a shape of an external auditory canal and a shape of a cavity of concha continuous with the external auditory canal vary greatly from individual to individual, some measures are required to stably attach a device attachable to an outer ear to an external auditory canal.
  • audio equipment such as a hearing aid, a sound reproducing device, an audio communication device, and an environmental countermeasure device (that is, a noise canceller)
  • a device attachable to an outer ear is custom-made by taking an ear impression of an external auditory canal and a cavity of concha of an individual user, such a device can be stably attached to the external auditory canal.
  • this makes it necessary to take an ear impression, causing another problem that a creation cost increases and a creation period becomes long.
  • a ready-made device attachable to an outer ear does not need an ear impression, and therefore a creation cost is relatively low, and no creation period is needed.
  • Earphones widely sold in the world are such ready-made earphones.
  • there are sealing-type ready-made hearing aids that completely close an external auditory canal such as the one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-139649, and such sealing-type ready-made hearing devices achieve stabilized attachment similarly to custom-made ones.
  • an ear tip to be inserted into an external auditory canal is made of a soft elastic material, and therefore the ear tip is deformed along the external auditory canal and pressed against an inner periphery of the external auditory canal with a repulsive force. Therefore, it seems that an attachment state of the device is stable.
  • the position of the device in the external auditory canal is easily changed as compared with a custom-made product. If the position of the device changes in the external auditory canal, a sound pressure on an eardrum surface changes, and howling is likely to occur.
  • the device attachable to an outer ear described in Japanese Patent No. 2684812 is made of a relatively hard material, and includes an inserting part of a tubular shape to be inserted into an external auditory canal and a setting part to be set in a cavity of concha continuous with the inserting part.
  • the inserting part does not necessarily fit external auditory canals of all users.
  • an inserting part of a tubular shape to be inserted into an external auditory canal can fit better in the external auditory canal when the inserting part is rotated in the external auditory canal or the inserting part is moved in an axial direction thereof in the external auditory canal.
  • this device is configured such that the setting part to be set in a cavity of concha is fixed with respect to the inserting part to be inserted into an external auditory canal, and therefore the setting part may undesirably interfere with a peripheral wall of the cavity of concha, thereby preventing rotation or movement of the inserting part.
  • a device attachable to an outer ear including: an inserting part of a tubular shape to be inserted into an external auditory canal; and a setting part to be set in a cavity of concha,
  • the inserting part and the setting part are disposed on an imaginary spherical surface, and the inserting part is rotatable around a longitudinal axis thereof inside the external auditory canal.
  • the inserting part is formed in a tubular shape, and therefore the inserting part can be rotated around the longitudinal axis inside the external auditory canal or the position of the inserting part can be shifted (displaced) in the longitudinal axis direction inside the external auditory canal.
  • the setting part is arranged on the same imaginary spherical surface as the inserting part, the setting part is disposed along an inner wall surface of a cavity of concha in a state where the inserting part is inside the external auditory canal. This is because a rear wall of an external auditory canal entrance and an inner wall of the cavity of concha are substantially along the imaginary spherical surface.
  • the “spherical” as used herein is not limited to a true sphere, and encompasses an elliptic sphere and other spheres.
  • the setting part when the inserting part inside the external auditory canal is rotated around the longitudinal axis thereof or displaced in an axial direction thereof, the setting part provides extremely small resistance.
  • a second aspect of embodiments of the present invention is defined as follows. Specifically, in the device defined in the first aspect, the inserting part has a shape of a round tube or a shape of an elliptical tube.
  • the inserting part has a shape of a round tube or a shape of an elliptical tube, rotation of the inserting part around the longitudinal axis inside the external auditory canal is easy.
  • the rotation inside the external auditory canal is easiest.
  • the inserting part has a shape of an elliptical tube
  • a third aspect of embodiments of the present invention is defined as follows. Specifically, in the device defined in the first or second aspect, a diameter of the inserting part gradually increases from a tip thereof toward the setting part.
  • a base end side of the inserting part that is, a connection portion connected with the setting part has a large diameter
  • an insertion state of the device is stabilized. That is, in the connection portion, a dorsal side (an outer side as viewed from a user) of the inserting part comes into contact with a tragus, whereas a ventral side thereof facing the user comes into contact with the rear wall of the external auditory canal entrance.
  • this portion can be held between the tragus and the rear wall of the external auditory canal entrance. This stabilizes an attachment state of the device.
  • a fourth aspect of embodiments of the present invention is defined as follows. Specifically, in the device defined in the second or third aspect, the inserting part is an ellipse in cross section, and a major axis of the ellipse is in a vertical direction.
  • the vertical direction refers to a gravity direction during insertion of the inserting part into the external auditory canal, and encompasses not only a physically strict gravity direction but also slightly inclined directions in consideration of a human action.
  • the inserting part Since an external auditory canal of a person is generally vertically long, it is preferable that the inserting part also has a vertically long elliptical tubular shape. By inserting the inserting part having a vertically long elliptical tubular shape into the external auditory canal and rotating the inserting part, the inserting part can be brought into contact with an upper surface of the external auditory canal with certainty.
  • a fifth aspect of embodiments of the present invention is defined as follows. Specifically, in the device defined in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the setting part is wider in a vertical direction than the inserting part when viewed from a tip side of the inserting part.
  • the setting part By making the setting part wide in the vertical direction, the setting part can be more stably attached to a cavity of concha.
  • a sixth aspect of embodiments of the present invention is defined as follows. Specifically, in the device defined in any one of the first to fifth aspects, a zonally convexed portion is provided on a surface of the setting part facing the user.
  • the zonally convexed portion improves feeling of insertion of the setting part with respect to the cavity of concha. This is because the zonally convexed portion causes the setting part to be in line contact with biological tissues of an inner wall of the cavity of concha, and a contact area is reduced as much as possible.
  • the device is held between the tragus and the rear wall of the external auditory canal entrance in some cases as described above, and due to the presence of the zonally convexed portion, a gap is formed between both sides of the zonally convexed portion and the inner wall of the cavity of concha even in a state where the device is strongly held.
  • This gap serves as a play, and mobility of the setting part during rotation of the inserting part around a longitudinal axis thereof improves. That is, the rotation of the inserting part becomes smooth.
  • a seventh aspect of embodiments of the present invention is defined as follows. Specifically, in the device defined in any one of the first to sixth aspects, a sound output part provided at a tip of the inserting part is disposed on a side facing the user.
  • An eighth aspect of embodiments of the present invention is defined as follows. Specifically, in the device defined in any one of the first to seventh aspects, a groove (vent) is provided on a lower surface of the inserting part.
  • a microphone is disposed on an upper side, and it is therefore convenient for howling prevention to form the vent on the lower side and separate the vent from the microphone.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a basic form of a device attachable to an outer ear according to embodiments of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a ventral surface of the device of FIG. 1 as viewed from a direction indicated by arrow II;
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a hearing aid to which the device of FIG. 1 is applied;
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which an inserting part of the device of FIG. 3 is inside an external auditory canal;
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 3 as viewed from a direction indicated by arrow V;
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a setting part to be set in a cavity of concha
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a state in which the inserting part of the device of FIG. 1 is inside the external auditory canal
  • FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state of insertion of the inserting part in the external auditory canal
  • FIG. 9 illustrates a state in which the inserting part of the device of FIG. 1 has been rotated after being inserted into the external auditory canal;
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an example in which the device is applied to a vibratory hearing aid
  • FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating an example in which the device is applied to another type of hearing aid, for example, an ear mold of a hearing aid (for a left ear);
  • FIG. 12 is a perspective view viewed from a direction indicated by arrow XII in FIG. 11 ;
  • FIG. 13 is a perspective view viewed from a direction indicated by arrow XIII in FIG. 11 .
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a device 1 attachable to an outer ear according to an embodiment.
  • the device 1 includes an inserting part 10 to be inserted into an external auditory canal and a setting part 20 to be set in a cavity of concha.
  • the inserting part 10 and the setting part 20 are arranged on an imaginary spherical surface O indicated by the line with alternate long and short dashes. More specifically, it is only necessary that ventral surfaces (surfaces in contact with a person) of the inserting part 10 and the setting part 20 are arranged on the imaginary spherical surface O. Since the ventral surfaces are arranged on the spherical surface, three-dimensional fine adjustment can be performed while keeping the setting part 20 in contact with the cavity of concha in a state where the inserting part is inside the external auditory canal.
  • both the inserting part 10 and the setting part 20 are formed in a tubular shape, it can be said that axis lines thereof are arranged on the imaginary spherical surface.
  • These parts are formed in a tubular shape because a small-sized speaker and others are housed in these parts in some cases. Alternatively, these parts are formed in a tubular shape in order to reduce a weight by making these parts tubular, that is, hollow.
  • the axis lines of the inserting part 10 and the setting part 20 are present on a same plane orthogonal to a tangent to the imaginary spherical surface.
  • the axis lines may be bent three-dimensionally as long as the axis lines are arranged on the imaginary spherical surface as described above.
  • the device 1 can be made of a material harder than human living tissues.
  • a material harder than human living tissues examples include resin materials having good moldability and excellent durability (chemical resistance, heat resistance, light resistance), such as a methacrylic resin (acrylic) collectively referred to as thermo-plastics, and metal materials having excellent biocompatibility, such as stainless steel and titanium.
  • the device 1 is molded by using such a material.
  • the device 1 may also be formed by additive manufacturing.
  • Examples of a soft material include silicone rubber.
  • the inserting part 10 is a tubular member having an elliptical cross section. A major axis of the ellipse is in the vertical direction. This is because an external auditory canal of a person is generally long in the vertical direction.
  • the inserting part 10 has a smaller diameter toward a tip side (see FIG. 2 ).
  • the shape of the cross section is kept similar in the axial direction, but the shape of the cross section may vary along the axial direction.
  • the inserting part 10 has a larger diameter at a base end thereof (that is, a portion connected with the setting part 20 ).
  • the inserting part 10 can have, on a ventral side of a tip portion thereof, an opening 12 (see FIG. 3 ).
  • the opening 12 serves as a sound output portion.
  • the opening 12 Since the opening 12 is provided on the ventral side, sound output from the opening 12 directly reaches an eardrum in a state where the inserting part 10 is inside the external auditory canal, as illustrated in FIG. 4 .
  • the opening when the opening is at a center of the inserting part 10 or on a dorsal side of the inserting part 10 , sound output from the opening is more likely to interfere with the peripheral wall of the external auditory canal before reaching the eardrum.
  • the setting part 20 can have a microphone hole 25 on a dorsal side thereof (see FIG. 5 ).
  • the setting part 20 is formed integrally with the base end portion of the inserting part 10 .
  • the setting part 20 becomes wider as a distance from the base end portion of the inserting part 10 increases. This is to bring the setting part 20 into contact with an inner wall of the cavity of concha with certainty and thereby ensure stability of attachment.
  • a zonally convexed portion 22 is provided on the ventral side of the setting part 20 .
  • a height of the zonally convexed portion 22 is not particularly limited, but is set to about 1 mm to 5 mm. As illustrated in FIG. 6 , the zonally convexed portion 22 has a mountain shape in cross section, and slightly concave inclined surfaces 22 a and 22 b are provided on both sides thereof.
  • the zonally convexed portion 22 is continuously provided from the tip of the setting part 20 to a connection portion connected with the inserting part 10 .
  • the inserting part 10 of the device 1 configured as above is inserted into an external auditory canal 100 of a person so that the major axis (in the cross section) of the inserting part 10 is in the vertical direction.
  • the state of insertion is indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 8 .
  • a major axis (in the cross section) of the external auditory canal 100 is longer than the major axis (in the cross section) of the inserting part 10 in this example. Accordingly, a random gap is formed between the external auditory canal 100 and the inserting part 10 in a state where the inserting part 10 is inside the external auditory canal 100 .
  • the inserting part 10 Since the external auditory canal 100 is not a linear hole, not only the inserting part 10 is rotated around the axis thereof, but also the inserting part 10 is moved and tilted in the longitudinal axis direction at the same time in order to obtain such close contact between the inserting part 10 and the external auditory canal 100 . That is, it is necessary to rotate the whole body of the device three-dimensionally.
  • the zonally convexed portion 22 is provided on the ventral surface of the setting part 20 , a space is formed between both sides of the zonally convexed portion 22 and the inner wall of the cavity of concha, and therefore the setting part 20 is easily inclined by using the space when the inserting part 10 is rotated around the longitudinal axis thereof. This reduces resistance to rotation of the inserting part 10 .
  • FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a final attachment state of the device 1 .
  • the device 1 is inserted and rotated three-dimensionally while sometimes being inclined so as to follow a shape of a human ear, more specifically, shapes of a cavity of concha, an external auditory canal entrance, and an external auditory canal while rotating the inserting part 10 in the axial direction thereof.
  • the inserting part 10 is disposed along the upper wall of the external auditory canal 100 (see the solid line in FIG. 8 ).
  • the base end portion (the connection portion connected with the setting part 20 ) of the inserting part 10 having a relatively large diameter is held between a tragus and a rear wall of the external auditory canal entrance, and therefore rotation around the longitudinal axis and movement in the longitudinal axis direction of the inserting part 10 are restricted. This stabilizes the position of the inserting part 10 .
  • the setting part 20 is designed to become wider from the connection portion connected with the inserting part 10 toward a rear end thereof, the setting part 20 is held stably at least one position on the cavity of concha. In addition, this restricts displacement of the inserting part 10 and allows the inserting part 10 to be stably held in surface contact on the upper wall of the external auditory canal. Note that feeling of attachment of the setting part 20 is improved by the zonally convexed portion 22 provided on the ventral surface of the setting part 20 . This is because a contact area between the setting part 20 and the inner wall of the cavity of concha is reduced.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates an example in which the device 10 is applied to a vibratory hearing aid.
  • the reference sign 30 denotes a vibrating device
  • the reference sign 40 denotes a connection portion.
  • a power supply line and a signal line to the vibrating device 30 are drawn to the outside via the connection portion 40 .
  • FIG. 11 illustrates an example in which the device 10 is applied to an ear mold of a hearing aid.
  • a lower surface of the inserting part 10 is expanded to form a groove 14 .
  • the groove 14 serves as a vent and prevents the entire peripheral surface of the inserting part 10 from coming into close contact with a wall of an external auditory canal of a person.
  • the groove 14 is continuously provided from the tip to an outer side of the inserting part 10 . This is to produce a ventilation effect with certainty and prevent ear closing feeling with certainty.
  • the reference sign 16 denotes a connection portion connected with a hearing aid main body.
  • FIG. 12 is a perspective view viewed from a direction indicated by arrow XII in FIG. 11 .
  • FIG. 13 is a perspective view viewed from a direction indicated by arrow XIII in FIG. 11 .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Headphones And Earphones (AREA)
US17/770,819 2019-10-30 2020-10-29 Implement to be worn on outer ear Active US11985484B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2019-197472 2019-10-30
JP2019197472 2019-10-30
PCT/JP2020/040698 WO2021085559A1 (ja) 2019-10-30 2020-10-29 外耳装着具

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20220377477A1 US20220377477A1 (en) 2022-11-24
US11985484B2 true US11985484B2 (en) 2024-05-14

Family

ID=75715177

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US17/770,819 Active US11985484B2 (en) 2019-10-30 2020-10-29 Implement to be worn on outer ear

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US11985484B2 (de)
EP (1) EP4054203A4 (de)
JP (1) JPWO2021085559A1 (de)
WO (1) WO2021085559A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11877110B2 (en) * 2022-01-13 2024-01-16 Bose Corporation Flow relief features embedded in cosmetic surface of wearables

Citations (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4311206A (en) 1978-05-15 1982-01-19 Johnson Rubein V Hearing aid ear mold with improved discrimination
US4739512A (en) 1985-06-27 1988-04-19 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Hearing aid
JPH03117999A (ja) 1989-09-30 1991-05-20 Sony Corp 電気音響変換器及び音響再生システム
JPH06113001A (ja) 1992-02-24 1994-04-22 Pilot Corp:The 片耳装着型送受話器
JPH08195999A (ja) 1995-01-17 1996-07-30 Rion Co Ltd 耳穴装用具
JP2684812B2 (ja) 1990-03-27 1997-12-03 リオン 株式会社 挿耳形補聴器
JPH10126873A (ja) 1996-10-21 1998-05-15 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 骨振動型マイクロホンおよび振動ピックアップ
US20040069560A1 (en) 2000-06-30 2004-04-15 Christoph Widmer Method for manufacturing an ear device and ear device
US7394909B1 (en) * 2000-09-25 2008-07-01 Phonak Ag Hearing device with embedded channnel
US20090202098A1 (en) 2008-02-13 2009-08-13 Plantronics, Inc. Occluding Earbud System and Method
JP2012525799A (ja) 2009-04-30 2012-10-22 ヴェルト メディカル ソリューションズ、エルエルシー イヤホンシステム
JP2012222682A (ja) 2011-04-12 2012-11-12 Tetsuhiro Tanaka 骨伝導イヤホン
JP2013058880A (ja) 2011-09-08 2013-03-28 Rion Co Ltd 既製耳あな型補聴器
JP2014508553A (ja) 2010-12-16 2014-04-10 サイオン・ニューロスティム，リミテッド・ライアビリティ・カンパニー 医師による監視下で患者に神経刺激を送達するためのシステム、方法及び装置
US20150139474A1 (en) * 2013-11-18 2015-05-21 3M Innovative Properties Company Concha-fit electronic hearing protection device
JP2015521424A (ja) 2012-05-11 2015-07-27 ハーマン インターナショナル インダストリーズ インコーポレイテッド 生理学的センサ付きのイヤホン及び小型イヤホン
US9237968B1 (en) 2012-05-09 2016-01-19 Scott Alan Orman Water sports ear plug
WO2016118401A1 (en) * 2015-01-19 2016-07-28 3M Innovative Properties Company Hearing protection device with convoluted acoustic horn
JP2017139649A (ja) 2016-02-04 2017-08-10 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 補聴器及びイヤーチップ
JP2018098596A (ja) 2016-12-12 2018-06-21 リオン株式会社 耳あな型補聴器
US20190029593A1 (en) 2016-04-17 2019-01-31 Lifebeam Technologies Ltd. Earbud with physiological sensor and stabilizing element
US20190208304A1 (en) 2018-01-03 2019-07-04 Logitech Europe S.A. Apparatus and method of forming a custom earpiece
WO2019187610A1 (ja) 2018-03-26 2019-10-03 ソニー株式会社 音響出力装置

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5518825U (de) * 1978-07-20 1980-02-06
JPH0644504U (ja) * 1992-11-21 1994-06-14 株式会社堀場製作所 耳式体温計

Patent Citations (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4311206A (en) 1978-05-15 1982-01-19 Johnson Rubein V Hearing aid ear mold with improved discrimination
US4739512A (en) 1985-06-27 1988-04-19 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Hearing aid
JPH03117999A (ja) 1989-09-30 1991-05-20 Sony Corp 電気音響変換器及び音響再生システム
JP2684812B2 (ja) 1990-03-27 1997-12-03 リオン 株式会社 挿耳形補聴器
JPH06113001A (ja) 1992-02-24 1994-04-22 Pilot Corp:The 片耳装着型送受話器
JPH08195999A (ja) 1995-01-17 1996-07-30 Rion Co Ltd 耳穴装用具
JPH10126873A (ja) 1996-10-21 1998-05-15 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 骨振動型マイクロホンおよび振動ピックアップ
US20040069560A1 (en) 2000-06-30 2004-04-15 Christoph Widmer Method for manufacturing an ear device and ear device
US7394909B1 (en) * 2000-09-25 2008-07-01 Phonak Ag Hearing device with embedded channnel
US20090202098A1 (en) 2008-02-13 2009-08-13 Plantronics, Inc. Occluding Earbud System and Method
JP2012525799A (ja) 2009-04-30 2012-10-22 ヴェルト メディカル ソリューションズ、エルエルシー イヤホンシステム
JP2014508553A (ja) 2010-12-16 2014-04-10 サイオン・ニューロスティム，リミテッド・ライアビリティ・カンパニー 医師による監視下で患者に神経刺激を送達するためのシステム、方法及び装置
JP2012222682A (ja) 2011-04-12 2012-11-12 Tetsuhiro Tanaka 骨伝導イヤホン
JP2013058880A (ja) 2011-09-08 2013-03-28 Rion Co Ltd 既製耳あな型補聴器
US9237968B1 (en) 2012-05-09 2016-01-19 Scott Alan Orman Water sports ear plug
JP2015521424A (ja) 2012-05-11 2015-07-27 ハーマン インターナショナル インダストリーズ インコーポレイテッド 生理学的センサ付きのイヤホン及び小型イヤホン
US20150139474A1 (en) * 2013-11-18 2015-05-21 3M Innovative Properties Company Concha-fit electronic hearing protection device
WO2016118401A1 (en) * 2015-01-19 2016-07-28 3M Innovative Properties Company Hearing protection device with convoluted acoustic horn
JP2017139649A (ja) 2016-02-04 2017-08-10 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 補聴器及びイヤーチップ
US20190029593A1 (en) 2016-04-17 2019-01-31 Lifebeam Technologies Ltd. Earbud with physiological sensor and stabilizing element
JP2018098596A (ja) 2016-12-12 2018-06-21 リオン株式会社 耳あな型補聴器
US20190208304A1 (en) 2018-01-03 2019-07-04 Logitech Europe S.A. Apparatus and method of forming a custom earpiece
WO2019187610A1 (ja) 2018-03-26 2019-10-03 ソニー株式会社 音響出力装置

Non-Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
CD-ROM of the specification and drawings annexed to the request of Japanese Utility Model Application No. 86138/1992 (Laid-open No. 44504/1994) (Horiba, Ltd.) Jun. 14, 1994, fig. 1-3, 5, 6.
EP Extended Search Report dated Dec. 19, 2023 for Application No. 20881723.9.
International Search Report dated Dec. 8, 2020 for PCT/JP2020/040698.
Microfilm of the specification and drawings annexed to the request of Japanese Utility Model Application No. 100150/1978 (Laid-open No. 18825/1980) (Pioneer Corp.) Feb. 6, 1980, fig. 5.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP4054203A1 (de) 2022-09-07
EP4054203A4 (de) 2024-01-17
US20220377477A1 (en) 2022-11-24
WO2021085559A1 (ja) 2021-05-06
JPWO2021085559A1 (de) 2021-05-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9955249B2 (en) Earpiece with movable joint
US10009680B2 (en) Retaining structure for an earpiece
JP6037483B2 (ja) イヤーピースパッシブノイズ減衰
US10820084B2 (en) Ear tip sealing structure
US7720242B2 (en) Flexible joint for extended wear hearing device
JP5651167B2 (ja) イヤホンシステム
US9462366B2 (en) Earpieces having flexible flaps
US10924842B2 (en) Audio device
JP2005323363A (ja) 補聴器用柔軟性耳当て
US10999670B2 (en) Ear tip sealing structure
US20220070572A1 (en) Variable eartip for earphone
US11985484B2 (en) Implement to be worn on outer ear
EP3753261B1 (de) Ohrstück mit schürzbefestigung
CN108235206B (zh) 具有加长圆顶件的助听器
JP7100208B2 (ja) イヤピース
JPH05115092A (ja) 外耳道挿入型イヤピース

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: LISTENINGASSIST CORPORATION, JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TSUGE, HAYATO;REEL/FRAME:059667/0013

Effective date: 20220322

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: ENTITY STATUS SET TO UNDISCOUNTED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: BIG.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: ENTITY STATUS SET TO SMALL (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: SMAL); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: FINAL REJECTION MAILED

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: RESPONSE AFTER FINAL ACTION FORWARDED TO EXAMINER

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE MAILED -- APPLICATION RECEIVED IN OFFICE OF PUBLICATIONS

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: PUBLICATIONS -- ISSUE FEE PAYMENT RECEIVED

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: PUBLICATIONS -- ISSUE FEE PAYMENT VERIFIED

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE